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Abstract:

A device is provided for preventative and acute treatment of teeth and
gums, with a handle (1) and a treatment element mounted on the handle for
insertion into the mouth of a patient, comprising an axis of rotation
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle. In order to
treat teeth and gums, for example, for dissolving and removing lipophilic
bacteria, and to provide for treatment and massage of the gums without
risk of damage to the epithelia, in addition to feeding care and
treatment agents, the treatment element (2) comprises a
three-dimensional, rotationally symmetrical surface made at least
partially of open-pore foam, wherein the treatment element (3) is mounted
so as to be freely rotatable about the axis of rotation, such that the
rotationally symmetrical surface thereof can be rolled along the teeth
and/or gums.

Claims:

1. A device for the preventative and acute treatment of teeth and gums
comprising a handle (1) and a treatment element (2) which is mounted to
the handle (1) and which is to be inserted into the mouth of a patient
and which has an axis of rotation (8) extending approximately
perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the handle,
characterised in that the treatment element (2) has a three-dimensional,
rotationally symmetrical treatment surface which at least partially
comprises an open-pore foam, wherein the treatment element (3) is
supported freely rotatably about the axis of rotation (8) in such a way
that it can be rolled with its rotationally symmetrical surface in the
mouth of the patient along the teeth and/or gums thereof.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that the treatment
surface is substantially a cylindrical surface.

3. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the diameter of the treatment surface is in a range of between 5
and 20 mm, preferably between 8 and 15 mm.

4. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the treatment element has an inner plastic sleeve (4) which is
stable in respect of shape and which can be fitted on to an axis member
(3).

5. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the axis member (3) is fixedly connected to a foam layer (5)
forming the treatment surface and on the side towards the handle has a
projecting corrugated connecting portion which can be inserted into
amounting bush provided in the handle.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 one of the preceding claims
characterised in that the plastic sleeve (4) and/or the axis member (3)
or the corrugated connecting portion and/or the bush have latching
elements to axially fix the treatment element to the handle with free
rotatability with respect to the handle (1).

7. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the open-pore foam layer (5) of the treatment surface is of a
thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm.

8. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the foam of the treatment surface comprises a permanently elastic
material.

9. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2 characterised
in that the handle substantially corresponds to the handle of a
toothbrush, wherein however the bristles of a toothbrush are replaced by
a fitment axis member or a mounting bush which define an axis of rotation
and the cross-section of the handle is of a greater dimension parallel to
the axis of rotation than perpendicularly thereto.

10. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2
characterised in that the foam has a porosity defined as the ratio of the
pore volume to the overall volume of the foam of at least 80% preferably
at least 90%.

11. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2
characterised in that the mean pore size of the foam is between 0.1 and 1
mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.

12. A device as set forth in one of the preceding claims 1-2
characterised in that in its region to be gripped by thumb and forefinger
of a hand the handle is of an elongate cross-section with a
cross-sectional longitudinal axis which is in a plane with the axis of
the treatment element.

Description:

[0001] The present invention concerns a device for the preventative and
acute treatment of teeth and gums comprising a handle and a treatment
element which is mounted to the handle and which is to be inserted into
the mouth of a patient and which has an axis of rotation extending
approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the
handle. Devices for the preventative acute treatment of teeth or gums
have already long been known in the state of the art in the form of
toothbrushes. In particular electric toothbrushes with rotating bristle
heads are also known, in which the axis of the bristle head extends
substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of a
corresponding handle.

[0002] Such toothbrushes, irrespective of their configuration, are however
only limitedly suitable specifically for the prophylaxis and therapy of
parodontosis or parodontitis, even if numerous attempts have already been
made in also aiming at more gently and more carefully treating gums and
providing for massage thereof specifically by adaptation of the outer
bristles of toothbrushes.

[0003] Parodontitis (synonym: gum inflammation) is a bacterially induced
inflammation which involves substantially irreversible destruction of the
tooth holding apparatus (paradontium, peridontium), with the consequence
of loosening of teeth and ultimately tooth loss. Inflammation of the gums
(gingivitis) is the initial disease and parodontitis is the consequential
disease. The chronic state of disease is referred to as parodontosis
(synonym: alveolar atrophy). The economic significance of
parodontitis/parodontosis is clear from the fact that, as from the 40th
year of life more teeth are lost due to parodontosis than caries. The
frequency of the precursor disease gingivitis is stated as being 100% of
the population. The corresponding data for parodontitis frequency of the
remaining bite are 35% among 20-year olds and 70% in those over 50. 4-8%
of adults and between 14-22% of senior citizens have a severe degree of
parodontitis. It is to be assumed that at present around 23 millions of
people in Germany have a parodontal need for care with differing urgency
for therapy.

[0004] In the case of parodontitis as an acutely inflammable form of
parodontosis, a distinction is drawn between 2 forms: the "apical" form
(extending from the tip of the tooth root) and the "marginal" form
(starting from the gingival margin). The two forms however can merge into
each other.

[0005] Parodontitis is triggered by bacterial plaque (tooth coating), a
biofilm which adheres tenaciously to the tooth, which usually occurs with
the following pattern:

[0006] coating of the clean tooth with saliva
glycosides,

[0007] adhesion of microorganisms from the saliva to that
layer,

[0008] establishment of a primary flora,

[0009] development of
selective flora and plaque maturing, and

[0010] dominance of
gram-negative bacteria and beginning of a chronically inflammatory
process.

[0011] The plaque hardens under the influence of the saliva at the
gingival edge and there leads to mechanical irritation. The tooth coating
acquires a pathophysiological significance inter alia only because a
biofilm which can no longer be peeled off is in direct permanent contact
with the gingival edge. Biofilm mineralisation leads at the surface to
fresh layers of vital plaque and, because of the porous structure of the
tartar, the retention of toxic substances. The plaque bacteria produce
exotoxins which diffuse into the adjoining gums and there cause an
inflammation process with reddening and swelling. Further cytotoxic
substances are butyrate, propionate and ammonium. Gum inflammation
(gingivitis) occurs, which is still reversible after professional teeth
cleaning.

[0012] Based on the fact that chronic and progressive inflammation of the
inner marginal epithelium or--in later stages of the infection--the gum
pockets are the main triggers of parodontitis, outstanding significance
for keeping the tooth holding apparatus healthy is attributed to the care
of that anatomical structure. Even in the case of healthy people
micro-injuries to the marginal epithelium which in turn form the starting
point for bacterial colonisation and plaque production frequently occur
due to incorrect techniques in cleaning the teeth like an excessively
high pressure applied by the brush, the choice of an excessively hard
brush or an excessively hard setting of the water jet of an oral water
jet device.

[0013] Other aids for cleaning teeth like the individual use of dental
floss or inter-dental brushes for cleaning the spaces between teeth
afford advantages in conscientious and regular use but do not in any way
replace professional tooth cleaning by the dentist or people trained in
dentistry.

[0014] In the anatomically constricted oral cavity only a second person
can gain a good visual impression of the amount of plaque by means of
special instruments, at locations which involve poor anatomical access,
with the availability of special instruments like for example ultrasound
cleaning devices or other dental instruments.

[0015] In regard to the correct technique for cleaning teeth using
toothpaste or tooth salt there are two preferred techniques: 1. Cleaning
movement from "red" towards "white", that is to say the bristles of the
toothbrush head are always moved only from the gum ("red") towards the
crown of the tooth ("white"), or 2. "Circulatory" movements of the brush
head, by means of which the tooth is to be brushed and the gingival
margin is to be gently massaged. Which of the two techniques is actually
the optimum one if not unambiguously settled from the scientific point of
view. What is beyond dispute however is that cleaning teeth and in
particular removing the plaque with the brush are performed too rarely
and often with a defective technique and involving an inadequate period
of time. Conventional tooth cleaning with brush and toothpaste does not
resolve the problem of inflammation of the marginal epithelium and
therefore urgently needs to be supplemented by an approach which causally
addresses the particular problems of chronic parodontitis.

[0016] The known toothbrushes and other devices for the preventative
treatment of teeth and gums are accordingly not suitable or are only
limitedly suitable for preventing parodontosis or stopping the advance
thereof. Rather, for the treatment and prevention of parodontosis it is
necessary to care for teeth and gums with a treatment means which is also
suitable for dissolving and removing lipophilic bacteria and to provide a
corresponding device which besides the supply of suitable care and
treatment agent also permits even more gentle and careful treatment and
massage of the gums without any risk of damaging the marginal epithelium.

[0017] That object is attained in that the treatment element has a
three-dimensional, rotationally symmetric& treatment surface which at
least partially comprises an open-pore foam, wherein the treatment
element is supported freely rotatably about the axis of rotation in such
a way that it can be rolled with its rotationally symmetrical surface in
the mouth of the patient along the teeth and/or gums thereof.

[0018] Unlike conventional devices for the treatment of parodontitis or
parodontosis the present invention does not have any bristles,
projections or the like which could damage the gums. Admittedly, plastic
or foam elements are also already known in the state of the art, which
can be moved for example directly over gums and teeth by being fitted on
to the fingertips, but even the friction produced in that way can cause
damage to the gums and the gaps between the teeth are also poorly reached
in that way.

[0019] The present invention in contrast provides a treatment element
which on the one hand comprises an open-pore foam which is easily
deformable and which can be very well adapted to other surfaces while on
the other hand the treatment element, by virtue of its three-dimensional
rotationally symmetrical treatment surface can easily roll against the
gum and/or or the teeth, in which case considerably less friction is
produced between the treatment element and the gum, than is possible with
other known devices. Unlike for example rotating bristle heads which are
driven by a corresponding motor and which are oriented with their axis
perpendicularly to the surface of the tooth or gum the treatment element
in the present case is freely rotatable and thus can easily roll against
the surface of the gum or teeth by suitable movement and orientation of
the axis parallel to the surface of the gum or teeth. During the
treatment therefore the orientation of the axis of rotation is precisely
perpendicular to the orientation which must be set when involving
treatment with a rotating toothbrush.

[0020] The invention comprises a device which is toothbrush-like in its
basic structure (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which instead of the brush head
carries on a carrier a soft, rotatable and replaceable sponge which fits
on a plastic capsule and can receive cleaning oil or other cleaning and
caring substances. Like a toothbrush the device is introduced into the
oral cavity and the sponge is guided with a gentle pressure at the inside
and the outside along the tooth enamel/gingival boundary. That is
intended to provide for massage of the marginal or connecting epithelium
and wetting of that anatomical structure with for example tooth oil or
other care substances. When performing the movement, this does not
involve any "friction" between sponge and gum as the soft sponge which is
matched to the anatomy can rotate freely and easily moveably on the axis
member. The patient himself determines the pressure with which the sponge
comes into contact with the gum. The device permits gentle and careful
massage of the gum and the marginal epithelium in so far as the
rotationally symmetrical treatment element is simply guided under a light
pressure along the inside and outside of the tooth/gingival boundary. In
that way gum and marginal epithelium are gently massaged and cleaned.

[0021] The open-pore foam finally makes it possible for the treatment
element to be impregnated with a treatment fluid which is delivered to
the gum during the rolling movement. In particular oils and the like can
be used for that purpose, which are capable of absorbing and removing
fat-soluble toxins which are produced by various oral bacteria, and that
is usually not successfully achieved with toothbrush and toothpaste.

[0022] The present invention is admittedly not intended to replace
conventional toothbrushes but rather is intended to serve and be used as
an addition specifically for the treatment of parodontitis and for the
prevention of parodontosis. It will be appreciated however that
accordingly when using toothbrushes the gums are to be treated as kindly
as possible (for example by using soft bristles or the like), and they
can be then treated separately and additionally with the device according
to the invention.

[0023] A further area of use of the invention is the care of tooth-bearing
or prosthesis-bearing jaw implants. In general those implants heal nicely
after surgical involvement. However entry points for pathogens which can
potentially lead to infections always occur at the contact surfaces
relating to the surrounding tissue. Good care of the implants is
therefore an indispensable prerequisite for permanent success of this
surgical measure which is becoming more and more important. Cleaning with
the conventional toothbrush is often not sufficiently gentle because of
excessively hard or excessively short bristles and when the wrong
cleaning technique is used even leads to damage to the sensitive mucous
membrane at the mucous membrane/implant boundary. The invention can
contribute to being able to better care for the implants which have
healed in place and reducing the bacterial toxin loading of the tissue
immediately surrounding the implant.

[0024] Further features of the device according to the invention are to be
found in the appendant claims which are discussed in greater detail
hereinafter. As already mentioned the treatment system has a
three-dimensional rotationally symmetrical surface. These include the
surfaces of numerous rotational bodies including balls, ellipsoids,
cones, cylinders, etc., wherein for practical reasons the shape of a
cylindrical surface or a peripheral surface of a cylinder is preferred
for the treatment element. The treatment element can be for example a
cylindrical foam body, into the one end of which is inserted a firmer
plastic element which imparts the required stability to the treatment
element for rotatable connection to the handle. It will be appreciated
that the treatment surface itself in that case comprises the open-pore
soft foam which is in the shape of cylinder or a hollow cylinder and
whose treatment surface is formed by a cylindrical surface. The diameter
of such a treatment surface can be in a range of between 5 and 20 mm but
should preferably be between 8 and 15 mm.

[0025] It will be appreciated that the shape can also differ slightly from
a cylindrical shape, for example the treatment element could also be in
the form of a truncated cone or a kind of barrel shape, that is to say it
can be of a somewhat convex shape. In that case the foregoing diameter
specifications relate to the mean value of such an element, as measured
over the axial length.

[0026] The diameter should not be excessively small as the treatment
element must have an inner firmer core for freely rotatable connection to
the handle and the foam of the treatment surface should not be
excessively thin in order on the one hand to be able to absorb sufficient
treatment fluid but on the other hand to also protect the gum from
pressure contact with the inner firmer core or to adequately cushion it.

[0027] In an embodiment the treatment element can have an inner plastic
sleeve which is stable in respect of shape and which can be fitted with
as little friction as possible but in accurately fitting relationship on
to a suitable axis member which extends at one end of the handle and
approximately perpendicularly thereto.

[0028] It is however also possible for a corresponding fitment axis member
to be fixedly connected to the foam which forms the treatment surface,
and to be provided on the side towards the handle with a projecting
connecting portion which can be fitted in accurate fitting relationship
into a mounting bush in the handle. In that case either the connecting
portion could be mounted rotatably in the bush or however the connecting
portion is non-rotatably latched to the bush, in which case the bush in
turn is easily rotatable in a suitable mounting.

[0029] The above-described variants make it possible for the treatment
element to be replaced at any time and for the corresponding handle to be
used afresh. In both cases however it is desirable if the plastic sleeve
and the associated axis member or the connecting portion and/or the bush
have latching elements so that the treatment element which on the one
hand is still to remain freely rotatable is however axially fixed with
respect to the handle so that the treatment element cannot become
unintentionally loose during a treatment.

[0030] The open-pore foam layer arranged around the axis of the plastic
sleeve should be of a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably a thickness
of at least 2 mm. The maximum thickness of the foam layer is defined by
the maximum diameter or radius of the treatment element, from which the
radius of the central spindle or sleeve is also to be subtracted. In
practice therefore the maximum thickness of the foam layer should not
exceed a value of between 5 and 10 mm. As already mentioned the thickness
of that foam layer serves on the one hand for absorption capability for
treatment fluid, but on the other hand also for cushioning the axis
member or plastic sleeve in the interior of the treatment element. In
addition the open-pore foam layer possibly accommodates a treatment
fluid, in which respect it will be appreciated that this layer can
accommodate correspondingly more treatment fluid, the thicker it is or
the greater its total volume is.

[0031] The axial length of the treatment element is also adapted to the
human anatomy and should therefore be between a minimum of 5 mm and a
maximum of 20 mm, preferably between 8 and 15 mm.

[0032] To be able to optimally orient the treatment element in the mouth
of a patient, in an embodiment the axis is angled with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the handle through an angle differing somewhat
from 90°, for example through 80° to 88°.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the foam of the treatment surface
should comprise a permanently elastic material and should not be
permanently deformed by being rolled against teeth and/or gums, but
rather, during the rolling movement, on the one hand should very quickly
adapt to the anatomical factors involved but thereafter should also
immediately resume the original shape again.

[0034] The handle of the device according to the invention substantially
corresponds to the handle of a toothbrush, in which respect the present
invention differs from a toothbrush in particular in that, instead of the
bristles, there is an axis member extending perpendicularly to the
longitudinal extent of the handle, or a corresponding mounting bush,
which define an axis of rotation, wherein the cross-section of the
handle, at least in a portion which is typically gripped by thumb and
index finger, is of a greater dimension in a direction parallel to that
axis of rotation, than perpendicularly thereto. That self-evidently
serves the purpose of being able to easily exert the required pressure
between the rolling cylindrical surface or reduction surface and the
teeth or gums. In the rest of the region the handle can correspond to the
cross-section of usual toothbrushes.

[0035] The larger cross-section, provided in a central portion of the
handle, in a direction parallel to the axis makes it possible to easily
exert a corresponding force perpendicularly to the axis on the handle and
thus also on the treatment element without the treatment element tilting.
At the same time such a handle affords a simple possible way of
establishing the orientation of the treatment element in the mouth solely
on the basis of the handle. That is for example appropriate and desirable
when a patient himself is not capable of correspondingly caring for his
teeth, and that has to be done by a third person or a carer.

[0036] The mean pore size of the foam should be between about 0.1 and 1
mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. The pore size has on the one hand
an influence on the stability in respect of shape and elasticity of the
treatment element, but on the other hand it also influences the
capability of absorbing and delivering treatment fluids. Excessively
large pores under some circumstances have the result that the treatment
fluid flows out of the treatment element very quickly, even if it was
completely saturated therewith. A treatment fluid can be uniformly
applied and distributed by correspondingly smaller pores.

[0037] Excessively small pores in contrast mean that the foam has a
tendency to be stiffer and not sufficiently yielding in relation to teeth
and gums so that the above-mentioned mean pore sizes represent preferred
ranges which however may also depend on the specifically selected plastic
material and can vary accordingly.

[0038] Further advantages, features and possible uses of the present
invention will be clearly apparent from the description hereinafter of a
preferred embodiment and the accompanying Figures in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the device according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a view of the device according to the invention
similarly to FIG. 1 but without the treatment element 2,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through a handle of the device,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a view in section of the treatment element 2, and

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the associated fitment axis member 3.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the device according to the invention
is only diagrammatically shown in the accompanying Figures and a
corresponding treatment device can actually differ markedly from the
diagrammatically illustrated subject-matter in regard to the specific
form, in particular in regard to ergonomic configurations.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows on the one hand a handle 1 which has similarities with
the handle of a toothbrush, but with the exception of the cross-section
III-III in the central region of the handle which is shown in FIG. 3 and
which, in relation to the treatment element 2, is of a larger
cross-sectional dimension parallel to the axis of the treatment element,
than perpendicularly thereto. In the case of a toothbrush in which the
treatment element 2 were replaced by a bristle head the cross-section
would have a tendency to be wider transversely relative to the bristles
than parallel thereto, that is to say precisely the reverse to the
present case. The handle however has the cross-sectional shape of a
toothbrush in the rear region, as shown in the cross-section IV-IV as
shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The treatment element 2 is a cylindrical foam body whose precise
configuration will also be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the handle 1 without treatment element 2 so that it is
possible to see the fitment axis member 3 which extends from one end of
the handle and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal
direction thereof. The axis member 3 can be formed integrally with the
handle 1 but can also be a pin which is cast or fitted separately into
the handle 1. FIG. 3 shows the above-mentioned cross-section through the
handle 1, corresponding to the section plane indicated at III-III in FIG.
2.

[0048] FIG. 5 in the lower part shows the front end portion of the handle
1 with an integrally formed fitment axis member 3 and a latching groove 7
provided peripherally on the fitment axis member 3.

[0049] In its centre the treatment element 2 has a plastic sleeve 4 which
is stable in respect of shape and which is surrounded at all sides, that
is to say with the exception of the lower open end portion of the sleeve
4, by a foam layer 5 which is several millimetres thick and which is
overall of a cylindrical shape. Provided at the inside wall of the
plastic sleeve 4 are latching elements 6 which, when the plastic sleeve 4
is pushed on to the fitment axis member 3, engage into and latch to the
groove 7 so that the treatment element 2 is in total fixed to the fitment
axis member 3 and thus also to the handle 1, while however being freely
rotatable about the fitment axis member 3. It will be appreciated that
the latching elements 6, 7 are only diagrammatically illustrated here and
that numerous other configurations of latching elements, including those
which permit external actuation, are conceivable.

[0050] As an alternative to the variant shown in FIG. 5 the treatment
element, instead of an inner sleeve, could also have a shaft which
projects with one end out of an end of the foam element which forms an
axis connecting portion which can be inserted into a bush and preferably
latched therein, which instead of the shaft or axis member in FIG. 5 is
let into an end of the handle.

[0051] For the purposes of the original disclosure it is pointed out that
all features as can be seen by a man skilled in the art from the present
description, the drawings and the appendant claims, even if they were
described in specific terms only in connection with certain other
features, can be combined both individually and also in any combinations
with others of the features or groups of features disclosed here insofar
as that has not been expressly excluded or technical aspects make such
combinations impossible or meaningless. A comprehensive explicit
representation of all conceivable combinations of features and emphasis
of the independence of the individual features from each other is
dispensed with here only for the sake of brevity and readability of the
description.

Patent applications in class Having abrading or polishing means

Patent applications in all subclasses Having abrading or polishing means